A 5-year-old autistic boy speaks his name for the first time, surprised by his own achievement, and his reaction moves the web.
About 15 to 20% of children with autism spectrum disorder are non-verbal, but many gradually acquire language skills, with 70% eventually learning to communicate; some using simple phrases, while others become completely fluent.
For parents, it can be a significant challenge to try to understand, and for the child, it can be frustrating not being able to verbalize what they are feeling. So, when a non-verbal autistic child speaks for the first time, it’s a huge emotional moment for the whole family.
Photographer Haley McGuire, mother of Micah, a 5-year-old boy, shared on her social media the moment her son spoke his name for the first time, and the joy of everyone around him, along with his reaction to hearing his own voice, enchanted internet users.
In the video posted on TikTok, Micah is visibly happy to say his name and the names of other family members. He perceives the joy of those around him, and his eyes shine with pride for his achievement.
The images were posted by McGuire in 2020 and quickly went viral. At the time, she told Newsweek that he started and hasn’t stopped since: “It’s been a day and a half, and everything we ask him to say, he’s copying,” she said.
“He’s not going out of his way to say anything on his own, but he’s literally copying everything we say, which is crazy because he wasn’t saying anything before.”
McGuire often shares Micah’s small and big achievements and the challenges she faces as a mother. Her videos are an inspiration for many families with children on the autism spectrum, especially those waiting for the day they can hear their children speak for the first time.
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
